Battery train starts trials across Northern England

This week, the UK’s first intercity battery train began testing on routes between York to Manchester Airport and Leeds to Liverpool Lime Street in a trial that will last eight weeks.

For the trial, a TransPennine Express Nova 1 train has had its diesel engine replaced with a battery. Tests will include the battery’s ability to improve performance on hills, regenerative charging via braking, fuel and emission savings, and zero-emission battery mode in train stations.

The battery train has already completed low speed tests on a test track at Hitachi Rail’s Newton Aycliffe manufacturing base, during which the train was propelled entirely by the battery.

The battery generates a peak power of more than 700kw and is predicted to reduce emissions and fuel costs by as much as 30%. It trial will also demonstrate how battery technology can reduce costs in the railways by reducing the need for overhead wires in tunnel sections and over complex junctions.

Hitachi delivered the world’s first passenger battery train in Japan and, in 2022, rolled out Europe’s first battery hybrid train in Italy. This train, the Masaccio, instantly cut CO2 emissions by 50% compared to the diesel trains it has replaced and Hitachi recently unveiled a new intercity version of the train, with a plan to roll out a EuroMasaccio in other European markets from 2026.

Paul Staples, Engineering, Safety and Sustainability Director at TransPennine Express, said: ‘This trial is a huge step towards the rail industry in the UK – and around the world reducing CO2 emissions and we are excited to be part of it.

‘TPE is dedicated to making our journeys greener by reducing our carbon footprint, creating resilience to climate change and improving local air quality.”

Matthew Prosser, Asset Management Director at Angel Trains, said: ‘Following the success of one of our Class 802 trains running entirely in battery-mode at Newton Aycliffe, we’re excited to see how this technology performs on the national rail network. This project represents a multimillion-pound joint investment by Angel Trains and Hitachi in one of our newest fleets. It will both support and draw upon the skilled jobs and expertise at Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe facility and enable us to demonstrate how battery retrofit technology can help us decarbonise our railways.’

Paul Newlove, Head of Green Technologies Programme said: ‘After seeing the train running entirely in battery-mode at Newton Aycliffe, I can’t wait to see how this technology can reduce emissions, reduce fuel costs and improve air quality on the Transpennine route.

‘This part of the trial is going to be really exciting because we start to prove the benefits of this green technology for passengers, operators and policy makers.

‘It has been such a team effort, with colleagues in Japan, Italy and UK working together for years to finally reach this important stage.’